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CNA Training – Not So Pleasant Duties of a CNA

CNA Training

If you’re looking into CNA training and considering a career as a certified nursing assistant, it’s important to think about all the duties that are involved. There’s more to being a CNA than just changing bedding and taking vital signs. Some of the duties of a certified nursing assistant are not for those with a weak stomach. It would be a shame to go through the expense and time commitment of CNA training just to find out you don’t have what it takes to do the job. Read through the following information and ask yourself, “Can I actually do these things day after day?”

CNA Training – Not So Pleasant Duties of a CNA

Just as with the job itself, the duties of a CNA varies with the position. Below we’ve created a list with the not-so-pleasant duties of a CNA according to work environment or facility.

Hospital – CNA training will help you learn the basics you’ll be responsible for in a hospital. Some of the less desirable duties include:

Changing bed pans

Cleaning vomit, blood, or other body fluids

Applying medicine or ointment to burns or stitches

Witnessing and dealing with emergency situations, car accident victims, and other types of trauma.

Hospice – Hospice isn’t for everyone. Along with your CNA training, there are plenty of things you’ll have to learn to work with Hospice. You’ll quickly learn that death is just a part of life and you’ll need to be able to deal with death comfortably. Here are some other things you’ll be dealing with when working with Hospice:

Patient fears.

Recognizing the signs of death, explaining the signs of death to parents and loved ones.

Dealing with the final stages of life, including release of bodily fluids.

Announcing the death of the patient to loved ones.

After life care, clean up, transporting of deceased.

Nursing Home – Working with the aged is a challenge for many. Although CNA training will help get you ready for nursing home work, you may not be prepared for the issues involved with nursing home work. Some of the unpleasant aspects include:

Smells

Patient or resident dementia. Sometimes mood swings in patients and elderly residents can be difficult to deal with. It takes a special type of person, and much more than you will initially learn from your CNA training.

CNA Training – Considering the Required Duties

You’ll also need to deal with difficult or emergency situations from time to time. The ability to keep a cool head, assess situations, and respond correctly is key.

To be a certified nursing assistant, it will take a very particular type of individual. You’ll certainly learn much of what you’ll need to know during your CNA training, but the day to day things you’ll be required to deal with are sometimes difficult. Be sure to carefully consider the possible unpleasant side of your new nursing assistant job before making the commitment.

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